Windies crowned new T20 kings after demolishing Sri Lanka in WC final

Colombo, Oct 8(ANI): West Indies silenced a sell-out crowd of 35 000 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo after they thrashed host nation Sri Lanka by 36 runs in the Twenty20 World Cup final to become the new champions of the shortest version of cricket.

The Windies were restricted to 137-6 after electing to bat, but they hit back to bowl Sri Lanka out for 101, Sports24 reports.

It was the West Indies' first major title since 2004 when they lifted the Champions Trophy in England, and handed Sri Lanka their fourth defeat in a major final since 2007.

Caribbean spinner Sunil Narine claimed three wickets for nine runs and captain Darren Sammy took two, as Sri Lanka, who had excelled in the field in the first session, undid the good work with reckless batting in the second.

Skipper Mahela Jayawardene survived two dropped catches to top-score with 33, while tail-ender Nuwan Kulasekara hit 26 off 13 balls, including three fours and a six in the 16th over of fast bowler Ravi Rampaul.

Sri Lanka's unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis had taken four wickets for 12 runs as the West Indies collapsed once Chris Gayle was removed in the sixth over for only three runs.

Man of the Match Marlon Samuels was the only batsman to defy the spot-on Sri Lankan bowling, making 78 off 56 balls with the help of six sixes and three boundaries. (ANI)